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Middletown council adopts horse‑waste ordinance amendment, advances licenses and local initiatives
Summary
Council adopted an amendment clarifying enforcement on horse waste in public places, accepted a liquor‑license transfer application for advertised public hearing on Dec. 1, approved a $2,500 Holiday Hope appropriation, and authorized workshops on an Atlantic Beach street fair and Newport water updates.
The council adopted a second‑reading amendment to the town code (Title 11, General Regulations, chapter 90) clarifying the town’s enforcement approach to horse waste on public streets and requiring those in control of horses to carry waste bags; the motion to adopt the ordinance as amended passed on a recorded voice vote (one councilor noted 'No'). Staff said they will notify affected stakeholders, including horse‑owners, about the new requirement.
Acting as the Board of License Commission, the council received an application to transfer a Class BV liquor license for Qingtao Chinese Restaurant (268 West Main Road) and voted to advertise a public hearing for Dec. 1, 2025.
Councilor Toronto proposed donating council discretionary funds to support the Coddington Holiday Hope fundraiser; the council approved a $2,500 appropriation from the council’s discretionary line to assist local families in need during the holidays.
The council also agreed to invite business owners for a workshop to explore a street‑fair concept for the Atlantic Beach District (to model Newport’s event) and requested Newport Water staff be invited for an update on capital projects — including lead‑service replacement and Easton’s Pond stability — to inform future budgeting.
Next steps: staff will publish the liquor‑license hearing notice, notify horse‑owners and the public about the ordinance change, schedule the street‑fair workshop with local businesses and the economic development committee, coordinate a Newport Water presentation, and process the $2,500 appropriation paperwork.
